Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Set in a quiet rural location, this cosy holiday cottage enjoys lovely views across open countryside towards Nigg Bay and the Cromarty Firth. An RSPB Reserve, sea trips, fishing, golf, castles and south, west and east facing beaches all within easy reach. Great for touring the scenic Highlands. Historic Cromarty is a short ferry trip (only available in summer, also accessible by road) with Inverness, the Highland Capital approx 45 minutes’ drive. Shops 4½ miles, pubs 3 miles. Can be booked with property 19987 (which has adjoining garden) to sleep up to 12 guests.

This attractive ground floor holiday apartment forms part of a stone cottage situated in the village of Castletown which is on the North Coast 500. Its high ceilings, original wooden shutters and cottage garden (grassed area outside the main garden provides space for dogs’ exercise) all add to its charm. Four miles of sandy beach adjoins the fishing harbour 800 yards from the property. Sea angling and loch fishing are available. Known for its unspoilt beaches and wide variety of wildlife and, at certain times of year, the Northern Lights are visible. Central to many surfing locations, golf courses, fishing and the Castle of Mey (8 miles). Take a day-trip to the Orkney Isles. An all weather short mat bowling green is available for guests to use. Shop, pub and restaurant 200 yards.

Balmore Farmhouse is located just a few miles south of Inverness and is only 2 miles away from the infamous Loch Ness. The property has been fully renovated to a good standard and offers guests a superb level of comfort and space.
Enter into the spacious reception hall, leading to a living room with comfortable leather sofas that wrap around the cosy wood burner. The kitchen/dining room is well-equipped with all you could need during your stay, and provides great views over the countryside. The utility room with washing machine and tumble dryer offers a useful space for cleaning mucky clothes after a busy day of adventuring. On the ground floor there is a kingsize bedroom with a private dressing room and an en-suite shower room that is also accessed from the hallway.
On the first floor there are three large bedrooms, two with kingsize beds, and one with a single bed, all served by a family bathroom. Outside there is ample parking and a large enclosed garden. Balmore Farmhouse makes an ideal holiday base for exploring the many delights of the Northern Highlands. Located on the outskirts of the Highland capital of Inverness and close to Loch Ness and the Moray Coast, the area is renowned for its natural beauty along with the many activities available, including golf, kayaking, water sports, mountain biking, climbing and hill walking to name just a few. Discover some of the many historic castles, such as Culloden Battlefield and Fort George, or stroll along some of the many unspoilt beaches. Beach and bar and restaurant 3 miles. Shop 2 miles.

Seaview Cottage is situated in rural Drimnin on the picturesque Morvern Peninsula and has outstanding panoramic views sweeping over the Sound of Mull. The landscaped gardens, with seating areas, take advantage of the surrounding sea views. A short stroll from the house will bring you to a lovely pebble beach.
The area is famed for its natural rugged beauty and wildlife including red deer, pine marten, wild cats and otters. Bird life including the magnificent golden eagle and sea eagle, and marine life are also in evidence and porpoises are regularly spotted chasing the ferry and other boats. Wildlife tours both sea and land are available in the area.
Lochaline is a small coastal village just over 10 miles away with a shop and restaurant, further facilities and amenities are available in Isle of Mull, Strontian, Fort William and Oban. Its location in this most attractive area of the Highlands means that it is well-placed to take advantage of the many leisure and pleasure activities which the area has to offer. There are regular ferry services from Lochaline over to Fishnish on the Isle of Mull. Beach 50 yards. Shop and pub 10 miles, restaurant ¼ mile.

Borlum House Farm in Reay on the far north coast of Scotland is a brilliant location to be based for a memorable short break or longer holiday. The restored early 18th century farmhouse and buildings are surrounded by highland cows, lambs and chickens. The Annex is a converted barn attached to the farmhouse that was originally maid quarters.
The farm was originally part of the Sandside Estate which was owned at one time by Mr Pilkington of Pilkington Glass. Records date back to 1729 and it is known that the farm was a sheep farm with dairy for cheese-making. Situated in an enviable spot up the hill from Reay and overlooking the magnificent north coast of Scotland right out to sea, arriving at The Annex you’ll be delighted with the location you’ve picked for your holiday.
Just off the NC500 that goes through Reay, Borlum House Farm is perfectly placed as a base to explore the far north coast. As well as Sandside Bay Beach with Fresgoe Harbour, just down from Reay, and Reay’s fantastic links golf course, there’s so much to see and do that the NC500 touring route will help you reach.
Other amazing beaches nearby include Melvich and Strathy, which are loved by surfers. Historic Thurso is nearby and so too is the ferry port for trips over to Orkney, a great day-trip from Borlum House Farm. Beyond Thurso you must visit Dunnet Head, the Castle of Mey, John O’Groats and Duncansby Stacks. To be honest, the list of amazing places to see goes on and on, and alas we can’t feature all here. But be certain that there’s so much to do during your stay at Borlum House Farm.
The accommodations are finished to a high standard. Both cottages include a kingsize double bedroom with en-suite double shower cubicle. Highland Soap products and lovely bathrobes are provided. The open-plan living/dining/kitchen space is great, complete with Smart TV and woodburning stove. Outside each property there is a private and enclosed garden as well the freedom to explore the grounds of the farm and meet the animals. There’s also a firepit and BBQ Grill shared with each cottage at the farm. Beach 1½ miles. Pub and restaurant 6 miles.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 4 guests.

The cottage location is the epitome of the Highlands. Just out of the hamlet of Culrain where there’s a castle, Lower Hilton Cottage is surrounded by woodland and has clear views to rugged hills and the Kyle of Sutherland, a river estuary that feeds into the Dornoch Firth. It’s an incredibly quiet location, with wildlife all around, and has that elusive undiscovered feel that everybody wants in the Highlands. If you want an outstanding Scottish Highlands retreat surrounded by nature, then Lower Hilton Cottage is the place for you.

Entering the cottage at the back door, which is most convenient, you’re met with a great dining space with rooms off in all directions. There’s a stunning double bedroom, spacious yet cosy living room with roaring wood burner and views out to hills and the estuary, the family bathroom and lovely, characterful kitchen. The stairs up from the dining space lead to two great bedrooms. Views out of the double-aspect bedrooms are outstanding. Outside there’s an unfenced mature garden that is mostly laid to lawn. There’s space to sit out and soak up whatever the Scottish weather has to offer.

From the cottage there are many fantastic hiking, mountain biking and road cycling routes to enjoy, and you’ll have the places all to yourself, unlike many other parts of Scotland. The area around Lower Hilton Cottage is authentic Highlands. There’s world-class salmon fishing on local rivers (permits available for very reasonable rates) and the links golf courses nearby are also world famous, most notably Royal Dornoch but the James Braid courses of Golspie and Brora are gems that any golfer will enjoy. Beyond the hamlet of Culrain and Carbisdale Castle, which is the most recent castle built in Scotland in 1905, the village of Ardgay is only ten minutes down the road. Here you’ll find a small, useful shop. Across the Kyle of Sutherland only fifteen minutes from the cottage you will find more services, including a butcher and bar/restaurant.

Lovely Dornoch is only a twenty five-minute drive, and Tain where you’ll find the Glenmorangie Distillery is about the same. Both places are well worth exploring during your stay, with Dornoch likely to be a highlight of your holiday. You have the NC500 easily accessible to the east near Dornoch and Tain, but you can also drive the interior roads via Lairg (crossroads of the Highlands) to reach the north and west coasts -again joining up with the NC500- very easily. The cottage is an excellent base for those adventurers amongst you. Lower Hilton Cottage offers one of the best interiors you’ll find in a holiday home. The minimalist, white, Scandi design is simply perfect. It’s so good in fact, you may shy away from heading out to explore the surroundings at all!

Shielside lies on the outskirts of the ancient crofting village of Acharacle, at the western end of Loch Shiel, on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. It offers four double bedrooms, all with en-suite facilities and bedrooms 2 and 4 are particularly spacious. It also has its own large, enclosed garden for guests to enjoy.
Ardnamurchan is a wild and beautiful place, designated as a National Scenic Area for its outstanding scenery and landscape, a popular holiday destination, rich in wildlife with some fabulous walks and great scenery. Acharacle has a village store and post office, Hotel and bar, local garage, café, medical practice and gift shop. Other villages within a short drive have similar facilities and there are plenty of opportunities for cycling, kayaking and wild swimming. Acharacle is 45 miles from Fort William via a single-track, well-surfaced road through the wild depths of Moidart.
Fort William, known as the “Outdoor Capital of the UK” has a wide variety of attractions which make ideal walking opportunities on the West Highland Way, the Great Glen Way, Ben Nevis and Glen Nevis. There are a variety of shops, hotels, restaurants, distilleries, a bus station and railway station with links to Mallaig, Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as an overnight sleeper to London. At the foot of Ben Nevis, you can enjoy a world-class mountain bike trail in summer, or skiing in winter. The steam train made famous by the ’Harry Potter’ films, can take you on a spectacular journey from Fort William through Glenfinnan and its famous monument to Bonnie Price Charlie and on to Mallaig. You will also find plenty of walking and cycling opportunities.

Red Kite Cottage is located just six miles north of Inverness and is nestled into the countryside with stunning views down the garden backing onto a small private wooded area. The property has an open plan living area with a well-equipped kitchen and comfortable furnishings throughout. There is a double bedroom and a twin bedroom, both served by a family shower room. Outside there is a large decked area with seating for sunny evenings and lazy days. There is a large enclosed lawned garden which is ideal for children and our four legged friends.
The property has easy access to the A9, which makes it a perfect location for exploring the Black Isles and further up into the Northern Highlands. It is within easy reach of the popular village of Fortrose, where you can see the bottlenose dolphins and just a mile further, you can walk on the stunning Rosemarkie beach. Beach 8 miles. Shop 9 miles, pub and restaurant 3 miles.

Located in the small settlement of Camas Inas a few miles west from Salen, The Steading has the most glorious situation with its own beach fronting and fabulous views across Loch Sunart. There isn’t a jetty or slip here, but you can get your boat down across the stones and into the water. There are also moorings in the bay if you arrive by boat. It really is a superb spot to take the kayaks, or your boat and explore the miles of deserted coastline, or even nip round to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull for a bite to eat (only 30 minutes by speedboat!). There’s wildlife all around with dolphins, porpoises, seals and otters all regular visitors to your very own bay. The wildlife doesn’t stop there, you’ll see many species visiting the garden, red deer and pine martens feed in the garden and there is a most amazing array of birdlife, including golden and sea eagles.
The garden is large and runs right down to your own beach. There is a lovely patio area by the house and lots of mature flower beds and lawn for children and pets to explore. A highlight though is a wee footpath that leads off to the south-western edge of the plot, and you traverse a boardwalk to reach a promontory where there is a spectacular seating-area, it most be one of the best pre-dinner drink spots in Scotland, just mountains and sea with all the wildlife to spot.
Entering the property through the patio doors you come into the open plan living/dining/kitchen space, with the living and dining area having floor to ceiling windows with extraordinary views and also with a large wood burner and TV. The kitchen area has an enormous island and everything you want and need to cook up meals to suit any occasion. Off the kitchen there is a drying room and utility space, through which there is a great gym room with views of the loch. The master double bedroom with en-suite bathroom has a freestanding bath and walk-in shower and the view from the bath is very special. The master bedroom also has a private balcony with chairs to soak up the setting at any time of the day. There are another two bedrooms, a double room and twin room, as well as a beautiful walk-in shower room.
The Steading is a fantastic holiday home that upon arrival you will not want to leave, it’s a great house for families, groups of friends and especially those with dogs as it is a luxury property that is also very dog friendly. Close to the property you have some interesting places to visit including the local Ardnamurchan distillery and famous lighthouse at the UK mainland’s most westerly point. The peninsula has many deserted beaches to explore, mountains to climb, and lochs to swim and fish. It’s a truly untouched area that you will want to keep exploring. Beach 100 yards. Shop 3 miles, pub and restaurant 6 miles.

Enjoying wonderful views across the Caledonian Canal to Ben Nevis, the Aonach Mor ski range and Glen Nevis, this bright and spacious detached bungalow is situated on a working croft in one of the most spectacular parts of the Highlands. There is a wealth of activities in the area, including skiing, climbing, hill walking, mountain biking, sailing, fishing and golf. Although rural the property is not isolated; the local shop is ¾ mile and pub and restaurant are a short walk away. During the summer the West Highland steam train, as seen in Harry Potter Films, passes close by enroute to Mallaig, where ferries depart for Skye and the small isles. Fort William, ‘the outdoor capital of the Highlands’ is just 4 miles away. It boasts a variety of excellent facilities, including swimming pool, and restaurants. The property makes an ideal base for touring the numerous places of interest in the region, including Glencoe, Loch Ness and the beautiful unspoilt Ardnamurchan Peninsula. Shop ¾ mile, pub and restaurant 500 yards.
Stepps Cottage can be booked together with W40834 Lapwing Rise (sleeps 7) which is next door.